Amherst Select Board to talk about updated sewer needs report

AMHERST – The Department of Public Works has just released an updated draft of the town’s sewer needs report and will present it to the Select Board Monday night.

About 93 percent of the town is connected to the sewer system, with the report examining the needs of the remaining seven percent.

Written by Cambridge-based engineering firm of Camp Dresser and McKee Inc., the report will serve as a guide to any future sewer expansion, said Superintendent of Public Works Guilford B. Mooring.

Engineers ranked the areas not connected to the system according to need. They also looked at what it would cost to expand into those areas.

The needs assessment was based on whether there were existing disposal problems, soil limitations, environmental concerns such as ground water contamination and cost analysis.

The Harkness Road and Wildflower Drive Area were seen to be in moderate need while the areas of Hulst Road, Southeast Street, Shays Street, High Point Drive Area, Montague Road and Northeast Street were seen to be in minor need.

“I feel it’s a good report. It lays out where we’re going next. There is no pressing need,” Mooring said. At this point, the department is not recommending that additional sewer lines be added, he said.

It will be up to town officials to determine what they want to do with report.

The estimated cost for a connection in the Harkness Road area is $597,600, according to the report. For the Wildflower neighborhood, the estimated cost would be $3.6 million. Both costs are based on today’s dollars. The report also looks at various ways to pay for the expansion.

The meeting with the Select Board is slated for 7:10 pm in Town Hall. The Select Board is also the water and sewer commission.

Residents meanwhile, can view the report on-line and offer comments as well.

A second hearing will be held Oct. 11 at 7 p.m. in Town Hall with the engineers who wrote the report.